Three days later, the entire world exploded with news.
Countless News Coo birds flew to various islands, spreading a piece of news that shook the entire sea.
“The Pirate King Gol D. Roger has been captured by the Navy. He will be executed in Loguetown in half a month and will be transferred to Impel Down tomorrow.”
Across the Four Seas, the Grand Line, and the New World, pirates holding the newspaper were wide-eyed with disbelief as they read the shocking news.
“What?”
“This can’t be true. The Pirate King has been captured by the Navy?”
It sounded like a fairy tale. The news was so sudden that it stunned both pirates and merchants worldwide.
“Pirate King Gol D. Roger was defeated by the Marine Hero Garp.”
“The Pirate King will be executed in Loguetown in half a month, and he will be transferred to the world’s strongest prison, Impel Down, tomorrow. This feels like a trap.”
“It seems like they are luring out the remaining members of the Roger Pirates.”
As time passed, the sea grew increasingly turbulent.
“This can’t be.”
“This isn’t true.”
“What happened? How could the Pirate King be captured by the Navy?”
Many pirates roared in disbelief, unable to accept that the Navy had captured the Pirate King.
On Sabaody Archipelago, in Shakky’s Rip-Off Bar, Rayleigh sat in a chair, reading the newspaper. He took off his white floral glasses and sighed.
“He finally did it.”
Behind the bar, Shakky puffed out a smoke ring and sighed as well.
“This was the captain’s choice.”
Putting down the newspaper, Rayleigh grabbed a nearby bottle of liquor and took several gulps.
“What about the others?”
Shakky hesitated.
“The captain gave his final order.”
Rayleigh shook his head, stood up, and continued, “I need to get some fresh air.”
“Come back soon.”
Watching Rayleigh leave, Shakky didn’t know what else to say.
In the New World:
“Father, Roger has been captured by the Navy.”
On the Moby Dick, Marco, the Phoenix, held the newspaper, his expression incredulous.
“What?”
“Did I hear that right? Gol D. Roger has been captured by the Navy?”
Around him, some of the crew expressed their doubts upon hearing Marco’s words.
“Gurarara…”
Putting down his massive sake cup, Whitebeard took the newspaper from Marco. His brows furrowed as he read the news, and then he sighed deeply for some unknown reason.
“Father, this can’t be true! Roger couldn’t have been captured by the Navy. Didn’t Roger just meet with you a while ago?”
Jozu was angry. Roger was a man even Whitebeard admired. How could he be captured so easily by the Navy? Moreover, the Roger Pirates were incredibly strong. Men like Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban could easily contend with Navy Admirals.
“It must be some kind of trick by the Navy.”
“Gurarara… It would take more than Garp alone to capture Roger. He surrendered. The World Government is twisting the truth.”
Drinking his strong liquor, Whitebeard interrupted Jozu and the others, who were filled with righteous indignation.
“Surrendered?”
Marco and the others looked at Whitebeard in confusion.
“Roger wants to usher in a new era.”
Gazing at the horizon, Whitebeard drank his liquor alone.
In the North Blue, on a wealthy island:
“Fufufufu… This is indeed big news.”
Amid the ruins, a young man with golden short hair, wearing sunglasses, a black shirt, and white pants, with pointed shoes, held a blood-stained newspaper, laughing arrogantly.
Around him, flames and bodies lay everywhere, telling the tale of a recent plundering.
“The Pirate King has been captured by the Navy.”
Nearby, a shabby, snot-nosed man wearing a cloak with circular patterns, holding a staff with a plum blossom emblem, also read the newspaper in shock.
This was Trebol, a Sticky-Sticky Fruit user and one of the top executives of the Donquixote Family.
“Roger will be executed in Loguetown in half a month. Young master, should we go?”
Beside Trebol, a man wearing a feathered hat, with two facial tattoos, dressed like a tribal native, asked.
This was Diamante, a Paramecia-type user of the Flag-Flag Fruit, also a top executive of the Donquixote Family.
“Get ready. We’re going to Loguetown.”
“Yes, young master.”
In the New World:
“Mom, the Pirate King Gol D. Roger has been captured by the Navy. He’ll be executed in Loguetown in half a month.”
“MOM… MOM… Those fools in the Navy caught Roger?”
“The newspaper says it was Marine Hero Garp who captured him.”
“Go to Loguetown and check it out.”
“Yes, Mom.”
At the same time, many famous or soon-to-be-famous individuals from across the seas set sail for Loguetown.
They wanted to witness the fall of a king.
At Marineford, in the repaired Marine Headquarters building, in Kong’s office:
“Fleet Admiral Kong, isn’t this too risky?”
With a heavy heart, Tsuru looked up at Kong.
“The news has already been published. This is the decision of the Five Elders.”
Kong shook his head and continued, “I understand your concerns, but even if the entire Roger Pirates come to break him out, it would be futile. The Five Elders have assigned CP0 to operate in the shadows, and we have the Marines ready.”
Tsuru nodded but still had her doubts. Roger’s actions were too sudden, even she couldn’t figure it out.
“We have half a month until Roger’s execution. The Five Elders want to use this time to draw out those foolish enough to try. Tomorrow, Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr, you will lead Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, and other Headquarters Vice Admirals to transfer Roger to Impel Down.”
“Understood.”
With a serious expression, Sengoku and the others nodded.
The World Government’s plan was cunning. By delaying the execution, they intended to lure out their enemies.
“Prepare and set out tomorrow. Don’t rush during the transfer. We have half a month.”
Kong specifically reminded them.
The meeting ended, but Tsuru remained uneasy and decided to visit Roger in prison.
At the prison, Tsuru stood outside, looking at the shackled Roger, feeling something was off.
It wasn’t that she overestimated Roger, but Sea Stone chains and this prison couldn’t hold him. Yet, Roger cooperated, eating and drinking without showing any signs of resistance.
The more cooperative he was, the more uneasy Tsuru felt.
“Isn’t this Marine Staff Officer Vice Admiral Tsuru? Still as valiant as ever.”
Roger laughed heartily, looking at Tsuru, his face paler but his voice still strong.
“What are you plotting?”
Tsuru ignored Roger’s jest and looked serious.
“Plotting? Hahaha…” As if hearing a joke, Roger looked at Tsuru oddly. “I wouldn’t dare play mind games with you. A single mistake and I’d be finished.”
“Why did you disappear for more than a year? Why did you suddenly come to Marineford?”
Tsuru’s face darkened as she questioned him.
“Why did I disappear? Wasn’t it because you were hunting me down everywhere? I had to hide!”
“You are the Pirate King.”
“So what? I was still chased all over the world by that bastard Garp.”
Roger cursed and grinned.
“Hmph, whatever your plan is, I won’t let you succeed.”
Snorting coldly, Tsuru knew she wouldn’t get anything out of him and turned to leave.
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